Mail-carrying apparatus



3 Sheets- Sheet 1.

Patented Feb.l, 1898,.

RQL'. ANDERSON.

MAIL CARRYING APPARATUS.

(No Model.)

(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 2.

Y, R. L. ANDERSON.

MAIL CARRYING APPARATUS.

Patented Feb. 1. 1898.v

4(No Model.)

R. L. ANDERSON.

3"Sheets-Sheet 3.

MAIL CARRYING APPARATUS. No. 598,171. Patented Peb. 1, 1898. fw w y #l 1SB I 1 A@ 1 1l .H1111 1 11 l Q *ys i ,s

WW1/tum C i Partnr l rrrcn.

RUFUS Ii. ANDERSON, OF ENERGY, SOUTH CAROLINA.

MAIL-CARRYING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 598,171, dated February1, 1898.

Application filed March l 7, l 8 9 7.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.:

Beit known that I, RUFUs L. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States,residing atEnergy, in the county of York and State of South Carolina,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-CarryingApparatuses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus for transmitting mail-matter,parcels or packages, and other devices from one point to another in anexpeditious and eficient manner.

vThe invention consists of the details of construction and arrangementof the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described andclaimed.

The object of the invention is to provide means for conveyingmail-matter or parcels from a central point to rural districts by rapidtransit and without the delay and inconvenience consequent `upon thetransmission of. mail and other matter by ordinary vehicles and othermeans now commonly employed. j

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of anapparatus embodying the invention. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are perspectiveviews and an elevation, respectively, in detail of the elevator,traveler, and carrying device. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of abuffer used in connection with the apparatus. Eig. G is a side elevationof one of the supporting-poles and its attachments. Fig. 7 is a detailperspective View of the wiresupporting arm adapted to be attached to thepoles. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view showing the arrangement ofparts of the device at an exchange or main station.

Referring to the drawings,wherein similar numerals of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views,` thenumeral 1 designates a track-wire of any suitable form of construction,and is secured at one end to a main or exchange station. As shown inEig. 1, the main or sending station has erected thereat a startingapparatus consisting of apair of upright guides 2, supported by asuitable base and having at the lower portion thereof arelease-opening3,construct Serial No. 627,928. (No model.)`

project upwardly to accommodate the proper operation of the mechanismcoacting therewith and has in its front end a slot 7, with a guide 8projecting thereinto and consisting of a metallic plate with an innerangular bend 9, so arranged as tol form a space with the adjacent wallof the slot 7, and at its inner portion is constructed'with anoverturned Y lip 10, to which the end of the wire 1 is secured. The saidwire 1 after its securement by the lip 10 passes along against andparallel with the angularly-bent end of the said plate, so that thedevice which moves thereover will contact with the said angularly-bentend of the plate.

The form of uprights just described will be used at smallstations orsubstations,while the constructionand arrangement shown in Fig. 8 willbeemployed at exchange or main stations and wherein a series of the saiduprights are arranged contiguously and to receive wires from differentstations.

.In the construction shown in Fig. 8 the parts are all arrangedsimilarly to those described in connection with the single pair ofuprights shown by Fig. 1, with the exception that the heads extendacross each other preferably at a right angle, and, as shown in dottedlines in Fig. 1, the said heads may be hooded by applying a coveringthereover to protect the working parts. Adjacent to the said cap or headin connection with a portion of the uprights is an engaging arm 11,which is adapted to release mechanism in a manner that Will behereinafter set forth. Movably mounted in the uprights and engagingguidegrooves 12 therein is an elevator 13, consisting, preferably, of arectangular frame having guide-flanges on opposite sides thereof toengage the said grooves 12 and also formed with or having attachedthereto an outwardly-projected seat 14, with spring-clamps 15, ofsuitable dimension, attached to opposite sides thereof. In the said seat14 is also mov- IOO i ably mounted an impelling-rod 16, which isspring-actuated and has an enlarged head extending beyond the front ofthe seat. The rear end of the said impelling-rod is pivotally connectedto the lower end of a trip-arm 17, movably attached to a slotted pivotalblock 18 and having its upper end recessed, as at 19, the latter beingadapted for engagement with the rear hooked end 20 of an angularlyformedtrip-latch 21, having an upwardly-projecting end 22 on the opposite sideof the elevator-frame for engagement with the arm 11. When theupwardly-projecting angularlybent end of the trip-latch contacts withthe arm 11, the impelling-rod is liberated to deliver a propulsive forceagainst the device, which Will be presently described. It will beunderstood that the said impelling-rod will be drawn back when thetrip-arm is engaged by the trip-latch and that the release of the latchfrom the upper end of the said trip-arm will free the impelling-rod tobe actuated by its spring connection.

Immediately above the seat 14: is a hangerarm 23, with an outer reducedend 24E, projecting beyond the engaging head of the impelling-rod andstanding a little above the top surface of the said seat. To the upperend of the elevator is secured a suitable attaching-loop 25, to which arope, cable, or chain 26 is secured and passes upwardly over the sheavein the cap or head, as heretofore set forth, the free end depending, forconvenient engagement, from below at the base of the uprights. By thismeans the elevator can be moved upwardly between the uprights and willlowerby its own Weight. When the elevator reaches the lower portion ofthe apparatus, it can be removed through the releasing-opening and therope, cable, or chain disconnected therefrom. By this means a singleelevator can be used in connection with a series of upright guides, allof the latter being provided with similar releasing-openings. Of coursethe releasing-openings permit the elevator to be readily positioned inconnection with the upright guides for proper operation.

A traveler is engaged. by the elevator and consists of a main bar 27with recesses 28 on opposite sides of the opposite ends thereof,

`thereby making the device as an entirety reversible, and to the saidbar 27 upwardlyprojecting arms 29 are attached and spaced apart, thesaid arms being bent across the top of the bar in such manner as toproject upwardly therefrom in a plane parallel with the further side andhave their upper ends formed with return-'bends 30, embracing andproviding a bearing for grooved wheels 3l,

adapted to have applied thereto a non-conducting covering or ofthemselves constructed of non-conducting material of such a nature as toresist the passage of electricity therethrough. The free ends of thereturn-bends 30 of the said arms project sufliciently below the lowerterminations of the grooved Wheels to prevent the latter from becomingreadily disengaged from the track or wire over which they move, and onthe outer side the said arms are braced by a cross-strip 32 to therebyhold the same in proper relation to each other. The opposite ends of thearms 29 extend below the central portion of the under side of the bar 27and are formed into loops 33, for a purpose which Will-be presentlydescribed.

1n connecting the traveler to the elevator, heretofore described, theclamps 15 embrace one end of the bar 27, itting in the recesses 28,while the supporting-arm 23 has the Wheels 31 mounted thereon. In thisarrangement the end of the bar 27 abuts against the projecting head ofthe impelling-rod 16, which of course has been retracted and is held setby the trip-latch in the manner previously set forth. The carrier 34 isremovably attached to the loops 33 by a screw-.rod 35 or other analogousdevice, and the rope, cable, or

vchain attached to the elevator is then operated to raise the latter,together with the traveler and carrier depending therefrom, to the upperpart of the upright guides and under the cap or head. The several partsare so arranged in connection with the cap or head and the adjacentportion of the upright guides that when the upwardly-proj ectin g end ofthe trip-latch 21 strikes the engaging arm in connection with theupright guides the Wheels 3l of the traveler will be in direct alinementWith the Wire 1 through the medium of the reduced end 24 of thesupporting-arm 23 passing under the lip of the guide-plate 7 to form acontinuity with the said guide-plate and the wire supported thereby. Atthe same time the impelling-rod 1G isreleased to deliver its full forceagainst the traveler and start the same upon the wire 1.

rllhe carrier 34 is intended to convey mailmatter or may be used for anyother purpose desired, and in lieu thereof a well-known form ofparcel-carrier may be substituted. The said carrier in its preferredform is entirely closed with the exception of an opening 36 at one side,having an interiorly-arranged sliding door 37, provided with a hasp atone end to engage a staple and be securely locked. Y

On one side of the carrier a clock-dial 33 is exposed, by means of whichthe time of starting or arrival of the carrier may be readilydetermined, and at opposite ends the said carrier is formed withspring-buifers 39. The said carrier is contracted toward its oppositeends in regular curved lines and is enlarged at the center, being bulgedin cross-section to form a receiving-compartment of considerable size,and the material employed in the construction thereof will be of lightweight, preferably aluminium; but it will be understood that anyvariation may be made in this respect as found desirable.

The poles 40 used in supporting the Wire 1 intermediate of the stationsor relays are preferably formed of metal and have enlarged IOO IIO

i bases 4l, which rest in the ground.` This collar 44.

affords an easy arrangement of the poles, and they can be furtherembedded in the ground p at their lower ends if it is found necessary.The broad bases 4l prevent the poles from sinking, and the latter aresupported by guy cables or wires 42, fastened at their lower ends tosuitable devices and at their upper ends attached to a suitableclamping-cuff 43.

Removably and adj ustably mounted on the 4upper ends of the poles areclamping-collars 44, one of which is shown in Figs. 6 and, 7, and eachof which has projecting therefrom a metallic arm 45, which, as shown, ispreferably given a half-turn and is secured to an interposed insulator46, the said arm 45 being integral with one side of the'clamping- To theopposite side of the insulator 46 an angularly-bent support 47 is secured, having a' part thereof standing upwardly in a vertical plane andembracing the wire l.

The collar 44 through its adjustable arrangement permits a change in thelevel of the Wire, as may be found desirable, to have the said wire runin the proper plane for the accurate operation of the traveler whichmoves thereover.

At each station, exchange, relay, or other place where the wire l mayenter and Where the removal of the traveler and detachment of the.elevator is had a buffer 48 is located and consists of a rectangularframe 49 with a rear seat 50, and in the open portion of the said frame49 is a disk or flat head 5l, having a rearwardly-proj ectin g stem orshank 52, freely movable through an opening in the seat 50, encircled bya coiled spring 53, which tends to normally throw the said disk or head5l outwardly and also cushions the same. The said disk or head 5l issuspended within the frame 49 by suitable diagona1ly-arranged springs54. These springs act as auxiliaries in cushioning the said head or diskand at the same time hold it in a central position for engagement. Vhenthe traveler and it-s carrier enter a station or other place, the buffer39 on the outer end of the carrier will strike the head or disk 5l andby an easy action stops the traveler without injury to the parts, itbeing seen that the buffers 39 project a considerable distance beyondthe opposite sides of the traveler and receive the force of the blow.The rear projecting end of the stem or shank 52 when this operationensues is adapted to strike a gong or suitable trip mechanism orcontacting device to operate a signal at a distance "and notify thekeeper of the station, relay, or exchange thata traveler with a carrierhas arrived.

Whenever the wire l extends inward to a receiving station, relay, orexchange, it projects downwardly at an incline, as shown in Fig. l, andthrough the lower portion of the upright guides, if desired, or stopsoutside of said guides. ln either event the bufferheretofore set forthwill be applied in properen- `and ready attachment to the traveler.

gaging position'7 and the wire or wires ruiming 4into the lower end ofthe guide will be attion, the wires will be increased correspondingly innumber both above and vbelowthat is, one set of upright guides will beemployed for sending on one side and another set on the opposite sidefor receiving-and also the wire l will be arranged in connection withthe upper part of the uprights or guides to extend in either directiontherefrom, and the elevator in this arrangement can be reversed foroperation with the Wire extending in either direction. At a relay orintermediate station where one pair of upright guides are employed alonethe receiving-wire Will run in at the bottom of said guides and thesending-wire extend outwardly from the top, so that when a carrierarrives over the bottom Wire a keeper or operator will, through themedium of an elevator similar to that heretofore described, againelevate the traveler,with its carrier, and send it on Vover the upperwire. Ata terminating station the wires will be similarly arranged forboth receiving and sending.

The wire l through the insulated features heretofore set forth isadapted for use in transmitting or receiving telegraphic or telephoniemessages, and by a slight rearrangement wires which have been suspendedfor this purpose can be readily used for engagement with the travelerand the other mechanism. It will also be understood that telephonie ortelegraphic connection can be made at suitable points bystation-keepers, as at the exchanges or intermediate relays in ruraldistricts, whereby a ready communication can be had with any point alongthe line in reference to any carrier or mail-matter transmitted'thereby,the said carriers for this purpose being supplied with suitable numbersor designations, so that a proper record or registration may be kept atpoints desirable. It will also be understood that mail-pouches ofordinary form may be placed within the carrier 34, supplied withdestination-tags, and when the carrier arrives at the differentintermediate sta-V tions or relays the pouch belonging to any one ofsaid stations can be removed by the proper person and the carrier thensent onward to its further destinations.

The improved apparatus heretofore set forth will replace the ordinarystar route methods of conveying mail in rural districts,

as well as stage-coaches and other vehicles,

with evident advantages. 1t is also intended to be used in largebuildings requiring transferring apparatus or between two buildings, andin this use the carrier heretofore set forth may be replaced bywell-known devices of a similar character or a platform, so long as itpreserves the features of disconnection It will also beunderstood thatat intermediate stations and to accommodate inequalities in IOO IIO

the surface of the ground suitable platforms or analogous devices may beerected whereon and from which to receive and send the traveler with itscarrier. Many other advantages will appear from time to time to thoseusing the apparatus, and changes within the scope of the invention maybe made in the several parts without in the least departing from thenature or spirit of the invention.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. In anapparatus of the character setv forth, the combination of a pair ofupright guides provided with grooves therein and having areleasing-opening at the bottom formed by cutting the lower portions ofthe uprights away, an elevator consisting of a frame provided withflanges to engage said grooves in the guides,l a traveler separablysupporting a carrier and adapted to be raised by said elevator, a wireextending from the upper portion of the guides, a second wire enteringthe lower portion thereof at the point where the releasing-opening isformed and a spring-buffer having a stem adapted to actuate a signal,substantially as' described.

2. In an apparatus of the character set forth, the combination withupright guides,an

elevator removably mounted in said guides, a

traveler and carrier adapted to be supported by said elevator, a wireconnected to said guides, and a buffer in -line with said wire having amovable stem adapted to actuate a signal, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the character s et forth, the combination of uprightguides, a Wire attached to the upper portion thereof, an elevatormovably mounted in said guides and comprising an impelling-rod, tripmechanism and a supporting-arm, a traveler havving wheels adapted torest on the said arm of the elevator and provided with a projection alsoengaged by a portion of the elevator, a carrier detachably connected tothe said traveler, and a Wire extended into the lower portion of theguides, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a wirehaving a declination at a suitable point, upright guides at the point ofdeclination, an elevating device in removable connection with saidupright guides, a traveler and carrier adapted to engage the said wireand elevating device, and a bufflng device adjacent to said guideshaving a movable stem adapted to actuate a signal, said wire beingdeflected from the upper part of said. guides, substantially as, and forthe purposes specified.

5. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of uprightguides having a releasing-opening at the lower portions thereof, anelevator in removable connection with said guides comprising animpelling-rod, trip mechanism and a supporting-arm, a cap at the upperportion of the guides having an opening therein with a guide-plate, awire attached to a part of said guide-plate, a projection to operate thesaid tripping device when the elevator is raised, a traveler supportinga carrier adapted to be raised and impelled by the mechanism of saidelevator, and a wire attached to the said guide-plate, substantially as,and for the purposes specified.

6. In an apparatus of the character set forth, the combination ofupright guides having caps or heads thereon with an opening at one sideor end, a guide-plate extending into said opening and having a lip, awire attached to the said lip, an elevator movably mounted in saidguides and comprising an impellingrod, trip mechanism and an arm with areduced end, a traveler supported by said arm and having a carrierdepending therefrom and and having depending therefrom a suitablecarrier, said reduced end of the arm engaging the lip to place thetraveler in proper alinement with the wire, substantially` as, and forthe purposes specified.

8. In an apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of awire, a support therefor, a guide-plate having a lip to which said wireis attached, an elevating device with a projectingarm having a reducedend, and a traveler supporting a carrier and adapted to engage said arm,the said reduced end of the arm of the elevator engaging the lip toaline the traveler with the wire, substantially as, and for the purposesspecified.

9. In a device of the character set forth, a carrier having oppositetapered ends and a central bulged portion, spring-buffers located in thesaid tapered ends, an interiorly-arranged sliding door in one side ofthe bulged portion, and an exposed clock-dial on a part of said bulgedportion, substantially as described.

10. In an apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with awire, of a pole, a clamping-collar mounted on said pole and having anarm extending therefrom, an insulator attached to the outer end of saidarm, and an angular support for the said wire secured tothe oppositeside of said insulator,

substantially as, and for the purposes specified.

11. In an apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of aseries of upright guides arranged at angles to each other andcontiguously and having upper connectingcaps, and alsoreleasing-openings, by cutting away the inner lower portions of eachpair of guides, an elevator adapted to removably engage said guides,Wires entering the upper and lower portions of said guides, and atraveier adapted to engage the elevator, and havsubstantially as, andfor the purposes specied.

l2. In an apparatus ofi the character set forth, the combination withthe operating mechanism, of a buffer consisting of a frame,

1o a movable disk or head having astern engaged lng a carrier separablydepending therefrom,`

by a spring, and a series of springs attached to said disk or head andthe adjacent portions of the frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specication in the presence 01":two subscrib- 15 ing Witnesses.

RUFUS L. ANDERSON; Witnesses: 'p

J. Ross CoLHoUN,

' VMARY L. GIBBs.

